Amendments 1-10

By: Heath and Claire

The Bill of Rights
The bill of rights is the first 10 amendments
James Madison wrote it
James madison wrote the bill of rights in
response to calls from several states for
request for greater constitutional protection
They also wanted individual liberties
Governmental power
The Bill of Rights list specific prohibitions on
governmental power
The Bill of Rights limits the government by
enumerating the rights of the people and
listing the things the government cannot do.
For example, the Bill of Rights states that
the government cannot pass a law limiting
the freedom of speech or religion
First Amendment
The first amendment is freedom of religion,
speech, and press
Freedom of religion means you can have
whatever religious beliefs you want unlike in
Britain
Freedom of speech is the right to speak your
mind and your opinion
The freedom of the press is the right to release
info without interference of the government
Second Amendment
The right to bear arms
This right simply means that you can have
weapons in the comfort of your own home
Third Amendment
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in
any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor
in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
by law
This means that no soldier will stay in your house
during a peaceful time without your permission
Fourth amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their
houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable
searches and seizures
This means that to search your house or anything
you own the people who are searching have to
have a search warrant
Fifth amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital or
otherwise infamous crime unless on a
presentment or indictment of a grand jury,
except in cases arising in the land or naval forces
, or in the militia
This means you dont have to answer anyone
about anything at least till someone such as a
lawyer for you arrives
Sixth amendment
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial
Speedy as in it shouldnt last more than a
couple of years or so
Seventh amendment
In suits at common law, where the value in
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of
trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a
jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the
United States than according to the rules of the
common law

If you are accused of a crime you have the right

to have a trial determined by the jury
If you are not guilty no one can take you to court
again for that same crime
Eighth amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, excessive
fines imposed, or cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted
If you are a criminal you are not to be treated
cruelly
Ninth amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain
rights will not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people
This means that that you have some rights that
are not specifically listed
Tenth amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States
by the constitution neither prohibited by it to the
united states or the people
This means that there are powers that are not
given but also not forbidden